No news is boring!

Sorry about the lack of news, that's because there has been no news. Well no good news anyway.

Our fridge has died, we had it re-gassed at the beginning of May and were hopeful that all was well as it appeared to be holding pressure. Over the last four weeks it has been getting progressively warmer and now it is back to the same state it was in before we had it 'fixed'. Like everything that is electrical for the boat it is about three times the price of a 240volt one, about £600 which we don't have at the moment so we will have to resort to more frequent shopping trips and using the cold box.

Our progress has been slow even by our recent standards, neither of us have been in the best of health, not ill exactly but definitely below par.

We spent a couple of days at Lapworth, then moved on to Knowle, where we adjourned for another couple of days. Whilst we were there Nimue managed to get herself stuck on the wrong side of the canal, after dark of course which excluded the simply solution of paddling Merlin across. Ray tried to encourage her home by walking towards the nearest bridge, calling her as he went  but she only appeared to follow him part way. She must have got the idea though because she eventually arrived home at about three in the morning.

From Knowle we carried on as far as Catherine de Barnes, pausing enroute to buy a gas bottle,a clear indication that the weather has been warmer, it has already lasted a week longer than normal.It's all the salads we have been eating. Our next stop was at the top of Camp Hill locks, then a couple of nights by Aston University before the trip back into the center of Birmingham.

We have just spent a couple of  nights on the moorings at Brindley Place before heading out to the Netherton Tunnel today.

We went for a wander round trying to identify some of the sites mentioned in Samuel Barfield's obituary where he did work of note, some I am sure no longer exist but the Chamberlain Memorial stands outside the Museum and Art Gallery and the style will be familiar to anyone who remembers my picture of the Clock Tower in Leicester.

Our visit coincided with a food fair which made it hard to get a clear shot, if I had know about the fair I might have skipped lunch, as it was I had to pass on the temptation to try a goat curry or a kangaroo burger.

Our plan is to head down to Stourport, then onto the River Severn and back to Birmingham via the Droitwich Canal and the Worcester and Birmingham.

Since my last post we have traveled 25.9 miles, 36 locks and 3 tunnels

This year we have traveled 365.5 miles, 340 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 13 tunnels

In 2012 we traveled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we traveled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we traveled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have traveled 2444.54miles, 2101 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 84 tunnels

A slow boat to Lapworth

After spending the weekend in Birmingham we carried on with the next leg of our exploration of Birmingham's canals.

This week has taken us out of the city and onto the Stratford Canal. The most exciting thing this week has probably been the weather. We have had brilliant sunshine, high winds, thunder, lightening, rain and hail. The only thing missing has been snow.

On Monday we actually sheltered under a bridge for about fifteen minutes to shelter from a hailstorm, we didn't travel far, only about seven and a half miles but that was far enough once the rain started. Tuesday was another lazy day with only just over five miles travelling but that took us to a quiet spot so we could get some more painting done so we now have a shiny boat on both sides.

After a fairly busy but static couple of days we moved to part way down the Lapworth Flight yesterday and then a bit further down in the pouring rain today.  After nine locks I was soaked through, couldn't see because of the rain on my glasses and decided to give up for the day. We are now moored below lock 14 at Lapworth and will probably stay here tomorrow as the rain is supposed to be even worse. The contrast in the weather is amazing, yesterday we treated ourselves to icecreams because it was so sunny and warm and today the rain has been torrential at times.

On our way down the flight we spotted this boat, the colours and badge will be familiar to the 'Jordan' side of the family but for the uninitiated it is the Watford Football Club colours, must be a serious fan!

Next week will be heading onto a bit of the Grand Union that we haven't visited before and back into Birmingham.

This week's journey has been 17.7 miles, 13 locks, 1 swing bridge, 2 lift bridges and 3 tunnels

This year we have travelled 339.6 miles, 304 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 10 tunnels

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2418.5 miles, 2065 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 81 tunnels

Back in Brum

On Thursday our time was up at the Black Country Living Museum so after winding and mooring alongside a hireboat who had inconsiderately moored on the waterpoint we topped up our watertank, got rid of our rubbish and moved on.

Our journey on Thursday was very short, we retraced our route back as far as the aqueduct by the Netherton Tunnel where we moored for the night. Then on Friday we dropped down through the Brades Locks, pausing only to remove a segment of plastic safety fencing and onto the New Line. From there it was a straight run back into Birmingham where we have moored about fifty yards from where we were moored before.

Yesterday we took a trip into the market, where I was pleased to discover that the herb stall that I remembered from a previous visit still exists, she just isn't there every day. Next time we are here on a Saturday I'll make a list of what I need.

Today we heard that there are problems at the Minworth Locks so the canal is closed there, with the Wolverhampton Flight still closed that is two of  (what I think of) the main five routes into and out of Birmingham closed. Thankfully that is the way we came into Brum and we are heading in a different direction.

Our recent journeys were 8.8 miles, 3 locks and 1 tunnel

This year we have travelled 321.9 miles, 291 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 7 tunnels

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2400.5 miles, 2052 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 78 tunnels

Black Country Living Museum

Like most of the country we enjoyed an enormous thunderstorm on Monday night. It woke us up at about four-thirty. At times when it was right overhead the thunder shook the boat. We managed to drift back off to sleep and once the rain had stopped we decided to cruise up to the junction with the New Main Line, wind the boats and head back to the Black Country Museum.

This is one of my favourite museums, there is so much to see, I recommend a visit even though we didn't go in on this occasion. There is also the opportunity to take a trip through the Dudley Tunnel, one which we can't take Morgana through. There are secure moorings here, confusingly where we are moored says 48hrs at one end and 24hrs at the other but as we are moored right beside the sign that says 48hrs that's how long we are staying.

Today we took the bus into Dudley, it would be walkable but I didn't fancy doing that in the current temperatures and now that Ray has his 'old codgers' bus pass at last at least we only had to pay the fares for me. Dudley has the normal range of shops that one can expect these days in most high streets and also a small market. Towards the mid afternoon we managed to pick up three punnets of strawberries for £1, as they were about 1lb weight each it has given us enough to make a gallon of strawberry wine which is now starting to brew. Some of them were a bit soft but none would have been thrown away even if we had been intending to eat them.

Tomorrow we intend to head part way back to Birmingham and then into the city centre on Friday for the weekend.

Yesterday's journey 1.7 miles

This year we have travelled 313.1 miles, 288 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 6 tunnels

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2391.7 miles, 2049 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 77 tunnels

Visiting Tipton

We spent yesterday giving Merlin a good tidy and generally relaxing. This was our little bit of countryside in the urban sprawl of Birmingham and surrounding districts.

We didn't set off until lunchtime today as we didn't intend going very far. The M5 kept us company for about a mile and a half, it was either above us or beside us then we headed westwards towards Oldbury and Tipton and the motorway made its way southwards. We crossed the Stewart Aqueduct and could see the BCN New Line below us. New Line is a bit of a misnomer, it was built in 1827! Although we are on a 'new' canal for us we are very close to a route previously travelled., actually passing over it on a couple of occasions today.

From Stewart Aqueduct under the M5 and over the New Line

This section of canal is definitely the road less travelled, it seems two boats per day is the norm. We are moored at Tipton for the night with the intention of picking up a few bits of shopping tomorrow then moving on either late tomorrow or on Wednesday. We are sat here with the doors wide open still at ten at night, the news reckons it is the hottest day for seven years, and it has just started raining.

Today's journey 4.7 miles

This year we have travelled 311.4 miles, 288 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 6 tunnels

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2390 miles, 2049 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 77 tunnels

Back from Brizzle

After a very enjoyable sojourn in Bristol with Keith, Leesa and baby Ellie I arrived back on board Morgana on Wednesday evening. It was a very nice break but I missed my boat and my life afloat ( and my lovely hubby, of course).

Morgana is looking much smarter than she did when I left and my flowers are looking beautiful, Ray has kept them well watered in this scorching weather. We have the official 'go-ahead' for the floating market on the last weekend of September.

It's really quite exciting to be involved in something like this, I'm now busily crafting so that I have lots to sell, hopefully. I can't offer accommodation to any visitors but it would be lovely to see some familiar faces there.

On Thursday I went round the markets and stocked up on fruit and veg plus a couple of nice chunks of cheese. Apart from that I spent the day just enjoying the sunshine. Today it was time to move on, we have decided that  we will spend the ten weeks between now and the market exploring the BCN ( Birmingham Canal Navigations). Birmingham is proud to boast that it has more canals than Venice, over 100 miles, although it used to be over 180 miles. It isn't as picturesque as Venice but it smells better! We may venture a bit further afield.

Today we travelled westwards and round the Icknield Port and Soho Loops before making our way up the Smethwick Locks to Sandwell. It proved to be a rather slow journey, firstly we stopped after less than an hour to clear some debris from the prop, then we had to stop again after ascending the locks as our water cooling inlet had become blocked so we were in danger of overheating and had to let everything cool down and finally the prop again became fouled so we found a spot to moor and gave up for the day. We did have some help at the top lock from a group of youngsters who were enjoying the sunshine and their release from school for the summer. As boaters we do tend to be wary of kids hanging around locks but these were very nice, polite lads.

Where we are moored is opposite the site of Sandwell Park Colliery wharf which was used to load coal onto boats until the colliery closed in 1960. Considering we are sandwiched between two large warehousing/distribution sites and about 200 yards from the M5 bridge over the canal it is remarkably quiet here, the noisiest things are the seagulls. The cats seem to like it here so we will probably stay here tomorrow as they have had to tolerate two weeks in the city center.

Today's journey 4.5 miles, 3 locks and 1 tunnel

This year we have travelled 306.7 miles, 288 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 6 tunnels

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2385.3 miles, 2049 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 77 tunnels

A belated update

Well it has been ages since I posted anything. We moved into the Birmingham suburbs and moored at Star City. It is a really good mooring, I can't see any reason why it is designated a 24 hr mooring. There is space for four or five boats and when we arrived there was one other boat. We were naughty and stayed about 40 hours and although the other boat left no other boats moored so we didn't feel guilty. It is an offside pontoon mooring with secure access to Star City carpark which is patrolled 24 hours by security guards and also has CCTV.

On the Tuesday I took the train from Aston into Birmingham to check out the city centre moorings and have a bit of a look round. I had a good look round the markets which are some of the cheapest I have seen but the produce looks good quality. I didn't buy much as we had a trip to Bristol planned on the Friday.

The moorings were remarkably empty so we decided to move into the city on Wednesday. It is quite a long haul into Brum no matter which route you take, in our case we had 24 locks to look forward to. We soon got into a rhythm and by the time we reached the final 13 lock climb up to Cambrian Wharf  we were making really good time. We have moored at the St Vincent Street moorings which are 14 day moorings.

On Friday we both took the coach to Bristol to visit our gorgeous new granddaughter, Ray returned to Morgana on Sunday but I'm still doing the doting grandmother act for few more days.

Ray has been busy on the paintwork on Morgana and Merlin as we are now moored with the other side to the towpath, I'm looking forward to seeing improvements when I get back.

Last week's journeys 11.7 miles, 27 locks and 3 tunnels

This year we have travelled 302.2 miles, 285 locks, 6 swing bridges, 13 lift bridges and 5 tunnels

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2380.8 miles, 2046 locks, 117 swing bridges, 74 lift bridges and 76 tunnels